Police seek suspect two years after deadly Southwest Memphis shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Gloria Jones’ life changed on September 21, 2024, with one phone call from her daughter, screaming and telling her that her son, 46-year-old Herbert Darling, had been shot.

“She called about three times, saying, ‘Momma, you need to get here.’ I hung up because I could feel it in my gut; he was my baby, he was my oldest child,” Jones stated.

Memphis police say they were responding to a shooting just after 8 a.m. in the 800 block of Leacrest Street in Westwood.

Officers say when they arrived on the scene, they found Darling lying on the ground suffering from several gunshot wounds to his face, shoulder, and stomach.

Paramedics rushed Darling to the hospital in critical condition.

Jones also rushed to the hospital to check on her son.

“My son was lying in the hospital bed with holes all through him,” she noted. “I prayed, I prayed so hard. I talked to God and asked him to spare my son, my only son.”

Darling spent three days in the hospital fighting for his life. Jones says that on the third day, Darling took his last breath.

“The doctor came out and told us that he had passed away,” Jones said.

According to homicide investigators, witnesses told them that Darling and another man got into a verbal altercation, and Darling lunged at the suspect; that’s when the suspect pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times.

According to witnesses, the gunmen walked away, but returned and shot Darling again while he was lying on the ground bleeding.

Witnesses told detectives the suspect was wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and blue jeans. The suspect was last seen leaving the scene walking down Westmont Road.

The senseless act of violence has left Darling’s family wondering why this had to happen.

“I’m angry, I’m very angry because this happened to my son,” Jones emphasized. “I’m hurt. I wish whoever did this, they find out who he is, and they bring him in so that I can have closure.”

If you know who killed 46-year-old Herbert Darling, you are urged to call Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Your tip could help put some dangerous criminals behind bars and $4,000 in your pocket.